The Gazette
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Wednesday, August 7, 2013
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Page A-4
Montgomery County might relax restrictions on owning chickens n
At issue is how far coops should be from lot lines BY
KATE S. ALEXANDER STAFF WRITER
Some residents are opposed to Montgomery County’s plan to relax zoning regulations, letting more people keep chickens in their backyards. Montgomery is comprehensively rewriting its zoning code and using the revision to change certain policies, among which are the rules regulating the raising of chickens. As far back as the county’s first zoning code in 1928, residents could have chickens in their yards, because farming was permitted in every zone, Legislative Attorney Jeff Zyontz said. But by the mid-1950s, the code did not expressly allow for chickens, he said. Sometime after 1955, the county adopted its current regulations, which allow chickens in residential zones, so long as the coop is 25 feet from a lot line
and 100 feet from a neighboring house, Zyontz said. Those rules, he said, were crafted to keep fowl off small lots. Planners and council members want to let those who live on small lots raise chickens, too. Within the current rewrite, county planners have proposed to relax the rules for backyard chicken farming, suggesting a coop be at least 5 feet from the lot line. They also proposed allowing one hen for every 1,000 square feet of a lot, up to eight. No roosters would be allowed and yards must be fenced. Goats also would be permitted, but no more than one goat for every 2,000 square feet of lot space. The council’s Planning Housing and Economic Development Committee went for a compromise between current rules and the planners’ proposal, recommending coops be at least 15 feet from the lot line. The committee the planning board’s other limits. Councilwoman Nancy Floreen, who chairs the committee, said some
people did not realize until the rewrite that the county has long allowed chicken in residential zones. “Residents always could have chickens. The only question was the location of the coop,” Floreen (D-At large) of Garrett Park said. Some have cried foul at relaxing the regulations, even suggesting that it would precipitate a major spike in the number of hens in animal shelters, as residents give up on raising chickens in their backyards. Others have said a 15-foot setback would force many who want to raise chickens to put the coop in the center of their yard — in direct sunlight. Objections to smell and health concerns about animal waste also have been raised, but animal advocates and agriculture experts say most are unfounded. Paul Shapiro, vice president of farm animal protection for The Humane Society of the United States, said chickens are intelligent, social, interesting animals that can make good companions. But when chickens are allowed in
residential areas or rules are relaxed, there can be a spike in unwanted birds going to shelters, he said. Shapiro suggested that those interested in keeping chickens first learn what they are getting into. If they decide to go for it, they should rescue a sheltered chicken rather than ordering chicks through the mail, he said. University of Maryland Extension Educator Chuck Schuster agreed that those considering raising chickens do their homework. Poultry sitters are absolutely necessary if owners plan to go on vacation, as the birds should not be left to fend for themselves, Schuster said. Movable coops that provide adequate shelter and room for the birds to roost at night and lay eggs are also essential. A movable coop prevents chickens from ranging in only one area and will help cut down on smell and degradation to yards, Schuster said. Unfortunately, those expecting to raise chickens to get cheap eggs are mistaken, he said.
The cost of buying a proper coop, feeding and caring for chickens breaks down to about $4 to $6 for every dozen eggs the chickens will produce, he said. Those hoping to get fresh eggs, though, can produce food for themselves. Both Schuster and Shapiro doubted that chickens would produce more waste than dogs or cats. “When we properly manage poultry flocks in the backyard setting, including moving the structure, there is not a manure concentration and once it rains, it is incorporated into the turf,” Schuster said. “I’m less concerned about that than I’d be about some pet waste.” When questioned by the council, Dr. Ulder Tillman, the county’s health officer, said the greater health risk would be handling the bird, not the waste. She suggested frequent handwashing. The full council has yet to discuss the zoning rewrite, so the rules for raising chickens could continue to evolve. kalexander@gazette.net
Do-it-yourself pro breaks into television WSSC opens
discussion on new water intake project
‘Lip Gloss and a Sander’ shown on county station
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BY
SYLVIA CARIGNAN STAFF WRITER
Every girl has her go-to tool. For some, it’s a flat iron or a trendy pair of heels. For Bridget Edell, it’s her favorite tube of lipstick and a great sander. Edell is the host of “Lip Gloss and a Sander,” which first aired on Montgomery County’s public access television station in June. The show follows Gaithersburg’s Edell as she takes on refinishing, painting and sanding projects step by step. The title comes from two tools that have become essential for her handyman hobbies and everyday life. “In my garage, I can do anything with a sander,” she said. Growing up, Edell would spend time with her father in his workshop. She didn’t share her siblings’ interests in sports at the time. She learned how to strip furniture of its polish and refinish pieces to make them look new. Edell hosted Montgomery County Media’s production staff at her home on July 27 to film the fifth episode of “Lip Gloss and a Sander.” In that episode, she showed viewers how to create a pub table out of a whiskey barrel. Edell, an executive assistant at Shady Grove Hospital, said the idea came from a friend who wanted to update the wet bar in his basement. Edell often takes her guests on the show to garage sales and flea markets to find affordable furniture that can be updated or
Few attend open-house meeting at elementary school n
BY
STAFF WRITER
BILL RYAN/THE GAZETTE
Bridget Edell of Gaithersburg, while taping her Montgomery County cable TV show, “Lip Gloss and a Sander,” helps select a table top at Thomas Marble & Granite in Gaithersburg. refinished. The new host said she hopes the show will encourage more women to take on home improvement projects. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be a man in the garage,” she said. Edell’s husband, Gary Edell, encouraged her to take the leap into show business and put her Pennsylvania State University communications degree to good use. “Back when I was in college and graduating ... there weren’t a whole lot of job opportunities for women” in broadcast journalism, she said. Edell pitched her idea for a television show to Montgomery County Media,
which approved her for a series. Merlyn Reineke, executive director of Montgomery County Media, said the station helps county residents and producers get time on the small screen. The number of episodes Edell will film is up to her, he said. Reineke said Edell’s show is “a very creative concept” and might inspire other county residents to start shows of their own. “Lip Gloss and a Sander” airs on Montgomery Channel 21 at 10 p.m. Wednesdays and 5:30 p.m. Sundays. scarignan@gazette.net
Climate change gathering encourages individual action Speakers discuss impact of climate change in Maryland
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BY
MARLENA CHERTOCK STAFF WRITER
About 500 residents, politicians and activists showed support for climate-change policies at an Organizing For Action community meeting last week at the Silver Spring Civic Center. “Cleaner air leads to healthier families,” said Neeta Datt, the county director of the nonprofit. The nearly four-hour meeting was the first in a month of action for the nonprofit that
PEGGY MCEWAN
supports President Barack Obama’s agenda. Speakers focused on the president’s plan, but also encouraged action on an individual level. “Climate change is the most important issue in our generation,” said Donald Boesch, the president of the Center for Environmental Science at the University of Maryland. “We have a special responsibility and opportunity to lead.” Pushing for more clean energy in the state has the potential to create jobs, Boesch said. “We don’t need to invent anything, all we need is more policy,” said Mike Tidwell, the director of Chesapeake Climate Change Action Network. “The fossil-fuel industry is allowed to
treat our atmosphere as a sewer.” Because of climate change, cases of asthma and heart attacks are increasing in the U.S., said Cindy Parker, an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins who is a director of Physicians for Social Responsibility. “Health is the only thing that has the potential to engage everyone across the political spectrum on climate change,” she said. “Everyone cares about their health, their family’s health and their neighbor’s health.” Katherine Magruder, the executive director of the Maryland Clean Energy Center, encouraged people to share books they’re reading about environmental topics with people who are doubtful of climate change. Datt told residents to send
letters to the editor to local newspapers and call their representatives to push climate change legislation. “Maybe with a nudge and a push we can get them to take a side,” she said. “It’s about time they take a side for or in denial. And OFA will start holding people in Congress accountable.” Datt said Maryland, and the nation, needs to change the climate change conversation. “We don’t hear the impacts enough in Congress or the media,” she said. “We’re already changing the conversation by filling up this room. We get it in Montgomery County, but we have to reach out and help others.” mchertock@gazette.net
The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission held the first public meeting on Thursday on a proposal to construct an offshore intake for the water supply at the Potomac Water Filtration Plant. The meeting was held in an open house format at Potomac Elementary School, with posters around the room describing the purpose of the project, the anticipated environmental impact and photos of the current water intake site. Several representatives of WSSC, the National Park Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the project team were available to answer questions. WSSC has a water intake along the shore of the Potomac River, just below where Watts Branch flows into the river near the water filtration plant now, but would like to replace it with an offshore submerged channel intake. Debris gets in the part of the river where the current intake is, said Jerry Irvine, public affairs manager for WSSC. “There are more contaminants there than in the middle [of the river],” he said. Almost three-quarters of the water used by WSSC customers in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties comes from the Potomac Water Filtration Plant, according to a press release from the C&O Canal National Historical Park, which runs between the plant and the river. The new intake will not increase the amount of water taken from the river; WSSC is seeking higher quality source water, the release said. Thursday’s meeting was a “scoping meeting,” said Suzanne Boltz, a senior scientist with EA Engineering, Science, and Technology Inc., who is working with WSSC.
“The meeting is required by the process, so the public is aware early and has multiple opportunities for input,” she said. Only two interested residents went to Thursday’s meeting to learn about the plan: Ginny Barnes, incoming president of the West Montgomery County Citizens Association, and Neal Fitzpatrick, executive director of the Audubon Naturalist Society, Barnes said she was disappointed in the format of the meeting. “My displeasure is this meeting doesn’t have any presentation. We have to go around and do a one-on-one and talk to people,” Barnes said. Fitzpatrick said he was at the meeting because he is concerned about C&O Canal National Historical Park resources. “We use the C&O Canal for outdoor classrooms all the time,” he said. “I want to make sure the impact is as minimal as possible, if there are impacts.” Both Fitzpatrick and Barnes said they think the environmental impact assessment should include a look at the water quality of the Watts Branch stream. “Its been degraded over time by development,” Fitzpatrick said. Simon Baidoo, project manager with WSSC, said he was not disappointed in the poor turnout at the meeting. He said it is what he has come to expect from public meetings. “Our aim is to have as many people as possible [comment on the project]. This is just one of the ways,” he said. Information from the meeting, including the posters, is available on the WSSC website: www.wsscwater.com/home/ jsp/content/potom-index.faces. To comment, visit http:// parkplanning.nps.gov or mail comments to Simon Baidoo, Project Manager, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, 14501 Sweitzer Lane, Laurel, MD 20707. pmcewan@gazette.net